The second round of the Herefordshire Cross Country League, promoted by Ludlow Runners on the testing six miles High Vinnals course, produced a worthy winner in veteran Tim Taylor (Hereford Couriers).

His time of 38.48 was only four minutes slower than the previous year despite the distance added on to by-pass an especially dangerous descent and much muddier conditions underfoot.

Kevin Nash made a welcome return from his summer of cycling to finish 7th (40.55), with the remainder of the Ludlow A team of Simon Norwood (13th), Mick Ligema (23rd) and an in-form Mark Warren (24th) all helping to take third team place -- Mark having benefited from the training that won him the best local competitor prize in the recent Leisure Centre Triathlon.

Once again there was enormous support from our other club runners and Ludlow fielded no fewer than five complete teams.

The women's race, over three miles, was won by Rachel Hatfield (Wye Valley) in 22.41. Ludlow's Son-ia George (6th), combined with Joy Miles (8th) and Wendy Breakwell (9th) to push the A team up to third. The B team of Gemma Morgan, Sue Evans and Sally Yapp was sixth.

Entries are now coming in thick and fast for the big off-road event of the year, which takes place on Sunday December 12th from Moore Park School, Overton. Full details of the Mortimer Forest Hill Race and an entry form are available on the club's website: ludlowrunners.org